1. To go before in order of time; to occur first with relation to anything. "Harm precedes not sin." Milton.
2. To go before in place, rank, or importance.
3. To cause to be preceded; to preface; to introduce; — used with by or with before the instrumental object. [R.] It is usual to precede hostilities by a public declaration. Kent.
PRECEDENCE; PRECEDENCY
Pre*ced"ence, Pre*ced"en*cy, n. Etym: [Cf. F. précédence. See
Precede.]
1. The act or state of preceding or going before in order of time; priority; as, one event has precedence of another.
2. The act or state of going or being before in rank or dignity, or the place of honor; right to a more honorable place; superior rank; as, barons have precedence of commoners. Which of them [the different desires] has the precedency in determining the will to the next action Locke.
Syn.
— Antecedence; priority; preëminence; preference; superiority.
PRECEDENT Pre*ced"ent, a. Etym: [L. praecedens, -entis, p. pr. of praecedere: cf. F. précédent. See Precede.]
Defn: Going before; anterior; preceding; antecedent; as, precedent services. Shak. "A precedent injury." Bacon. Condition precedent (Law), a condition which precede the vesting of an estate, or the accruing of a right.
PRECEDENT
Prec"e*dent, n.